Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of communicating data between at least two units (1) on a serial bus (2) in a car, wherein the units 11) have independent clocks, the data being transmitted as a sequence (3) of frames (4), each frame including an identifier field (9) and a data field (10). In order to ensure an always reliable and synchronized communication of data on a serial bus with different types of units (clocks) where randomly distributed periods of idle time may occur on the bus it is suggested that prior to any sequence (3) of frames (4), a signal pattern (7) is transmitted on the bus (2), so as to set the bus to a definite state for a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A power supply for providing full time electrical power to a customer premises telecommunications hub. The supply includes an AC to DC power converter for converting power from the AC power grid to a DC voltage selected to maintain a backup battery at float voltage. The converter includes a first rectifier section for generating an unregulated DC voltage. This voltage is switched through the primary of an isolation transformer by a pulse width modulated voltage controller. The output of the transformer is connected to a second rectifier circuit and filter to produce a regulated DC output voltage. The regulated voltage is connected to a voltage correction circuit through a divider including a temperature compensator so that the feedback to the voltage controller causes the regulated output voltage to follow the battery float voltage at all temperatures. The unregulated DC voltage is coupled to the voltage controller current limiting input to protect the power supply at high input voltages.

Abstract: A non-geostationary low earth orbit satellite constellation using elliptical orbits with apogees in the Northern Hemisphere to provide continuous coverage over the Continental United States of America (CONUS), and by extension to the other points in the Northern Hemisphere situated above 25° north latitude. The constellation provides time-continuous visibility with at least one satellite to any point above 25° North latitude. An extension of the constellation has a combination of the elliptical orbits and at least one equatorial orbit to provide virtual global coverage. The distribution of capacity is deployed in proportion to the distribution of populations in the land masses of the earth. Time continuous visibility with at least one satellite is maintained by any point on earth north of the 50° South latitude, with a minimum number of satellites deployed.

Abstract: High performance switching network topologies and frame addressing techniques therefor are disclosed. A two-dimensional Fiber Channel switch fabric is disclosed which combines a Class 1 connection space-division multiplexing sub-fabric, and Class 2 and 3 connectionless space- and time-division multiplexing sub-fabric. Networking topologies are disclosed for combining multiple modules to increase the number of supported ports. Addressing and frame routing techniques are provided for routing frames to any port in any module of a large interconnected network of modules.

Abstract: A base station communicates with a plurality of mobile stations over a cellular network. In one embodiment, the base station includes a transceiver configured to receive inbound information from the mobile station and transmit outbound information to the mobile station. The transceiver equalizes and decodes the inbound information and encodes the outbound information. The transceiver is coupled to a data bus for communicating the inbound and outbound information with the other elements in the base station. The transceiver is also coupled to a control bus. An trunk module is coupled to the data bus and to a mobile services center. The trunk module communicates inbound and outbound information with the mobile services center. The trunk module is also coupled to the control bus. Finally, a central processor is coupled to the control bus to control the transceiver and the trunk module. A preferred protocol is Global Systems for Mobile Communication (GSM).

Abstract: A system for supporting a message delivery service, a method for supporting such a service and a machine accessible medium containing program data for implementing such a system. A number of processing servers are coupled to communicate with a number of outbound resources and a database server over an internal packet-switched data network. The database server contains account information on customers of the service. Request messages received from a customer over an external packet-switched data network are stored in a queue of a processing server. A router filter obtains a request message from the queue and validates a customer associated with the request message, after accessing the database server. A determination is made as to which of the multiple outbound resources to assign the request message. Each of these resources is capable of converting an input request message into a format capable of being received by a fax machine over a telephone network.

Abstract: A powder feeding container is made from paper, resin film, or a synthetic film made with paper and resin film, the container containing powder within, and having a peak at one end, which is formed from an incline that starts from a middle of one edge of the container. The peak end is cut to form a first opening that releases the inside powder, whereas a change proximity area that starts forming an inclined edge is cut, and the rear area from the incision is folded inward, so that air is sent into the first opening along the inner wall of the inclined edge, forming a second opening.

Abstract: A novel and useful windowing mechanism for reducing the out of band harmonics of an output transmit signal. The windowing mechanism functions to smooth the transition between two consecutive transmit waveforms. The mechanism of the present invention is particularly useful in communication systems characterized by consecutively transmitted symbols whereby the concatenation of transmitted waveforms causes discontinuities between symbols. The windowing mechanism is operative to reduce the effect of these discontinuities to reduce out of band harmonics of the transmitted output signal. The windowing mechanism extend each transmit waveform both earlier and later in time thus creating extending waveform portions on either end of the transmit waveform. The extended portions are then multiplied by a suitable windowing function and the result is summed with the next transmit waveforms.

Abstract: A Raman amplifier assembly includes a Raman amplifier configured to receive a signal from a signal source. The signal travels in an upstream direction in the Raman amplifier. A first pump source is coupled to the Raman amplifier. The first pump source produces a first pump beam that travels in a downstream direction and is counter-propagating relative to the signal. A second pump source is coupled to the Raman amplifier and produces a second pump beam that travels in the upstream direction. The second pump source has an average relative intensity noise of less than −80 dB/Hz.

Abstract: A system and method for connecting a call processes call signaling to determine if a call is a ported call or a non-ported call. A signaling processor determines if a ported number parameter (PNP), such as a forward call indicator (FCI) bit M and/or a ported number generic address parameter (GAP), is present. If the PNP is not present and the signaling processor determines the dialed number is a member of a portable number plan area and central office code combinations (NPA-NXX), the signaling processor queries a ported number database (PNDB). The PNDB responds with the called number dialed digits if the call is not a ported call or a location routing number (LRN) if the call is a ported call. The signaling processor appends a 1 to the nature of address (NOA) subfield of the called party number (CdPN) field if the call is a ported call.

Abstract: A context-aware search service is provided to users requesting information. The context-aware search incorporates contextual information such as the context of the user making the request, the external context of the user or terminal that the user accesses, or the characteristics or context of the terminal. The contextualized request is processed through sets of analyses to customize the request including analyses to determine an exact nature of the request, analyses to limit a universe of reference to be examined to provide the result, and analyses to select the most appropriate content and format for presentation to the user once the result is obtained from separate service providers.

Abstract: A method, system, computer system and computer program product to remotely diagnose a problem with a computer system or related equipment using data provided by a user of the computer system via telephone. A signal including speech and/or DTMF tones is received via a telephone channel from a user of the computer system or equipment. The computer system and/or equipment associated with the signal is identified using information from the signal, such as a user name, caller ID, telephone number, or password. A source of diagnostic information about the computer system is identified, and diagnostic information is gathered from the source. The diagnostic information can be used to fix the problem or provided to a customer service agent for use in further problem diagnosis.

Abstract: Rotate-and-pull mechanisms for fiber optic modules. The rotate-and-pull mechanisms have a lever-actuator to unlatch and withdraw a fiber optic module from a cage assembly or a module receptacle. The lever-actuator pivotally couples to the fiber optic module so that when lever-actuator is rotated about its pivot point, the lever-actuator causes the second actuator to release the fiber optic module from the cage assembly. The lever-actuator includes an actuating-tab to cause the second actuator to move when the lever-actuator is rotated. By pulling the lever-actuator away from the cage assembly, the fiber optic module is withdrawn from the cage assembly. A belly-to-belly mounting configuration is introduced for the rotate-and-pull release fiber optic modules.

Abstract: A communication apparatus comprises a destination obtainer that obtains a destination address, a telephone network interface that connects to a public switched telephone network and a LAN interface that connects to an Internet. Further the communication apparatus includes a communication controller, an Internet communication controller and a network communication controller. The communication controller analyzes the destination address obtained by the obtainer to determine whether communication is performed via the telephone network interface or via the LAN interface. The Internet communication controller performs voice transmission over the Internet via the LAN interface when the communication controller determines that the communication is performed via the LAN interface and the network communication controller performs voice transmission over the public switched telephone network via said telephone network interface.

Abstract: A method of routing an ATM cell in an ATM network and routing an ATM cell and a structure of an ATM adaptation layer in an ATM network. Data based on an ALL-Type2 (ATM Adaptation Layer Type2) and an AAL-Type5 (ATM Adaptation Layer Type5) is transferred to the same destination. This enables data based on ATM adaptation layers of different types to be transferred to the same destination at the same time.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a control system for use in an optical amplifier includes a plurality of control legs, each operable to receive one of plurality of portions of an optical signal, wherein each of the plurality of portions comprises a different percentage of the optical signal. The system further includes a plurality of registers, each associated with one of the control legs and each operable to store a value proportional to the portion of the optical signal communicated in the associated control leg. The system also includes a controller operable to select one of the values stored in one of the plurality of registers and to scale that value by a scaling factor to generate a scaled value, wherein the scaling factor is determined at least in part by the percentage of the optical signal associated with that value. The controller is operable to generate, based at least in part on the scaled value, a control signal operable to affect the gain of the amplifier.

Abstract: A system and method for path protection switching in ring networks is provided in which the path protection switch occurs at the transmitter node that initiated a particular virtual channel of data packets onto the ring network. A failure in one of the data communication-paths of the ring network is detected by the network nodes on either side of the failure. These network nodes then initiate a wrap mechanism that embeds a special feedback wrap indicator flag into packets received at the two nodes, and then wraps (or transmits back) these packets (with the feedback indicator) in the opposite direction towards the transmitter node that initiated the packets onto the ring. Each transmitter node detects whether received packets are associated with virtual channels that it initiated onto the ring and if so detected, then determine whether the feedback indicator flag is set.

Abstract: A method and system for generating one of a first and second audible tone in a telephony system including a telephony device responsive to a first signal to generate the first audible tone and responsive to a second signal to generate the second audible tone includes receiving an information signal from the telephony system and a user initiated signal from the telephony device indicating a desire to initiate a call from the telephony device. A processor processes the information signal and the user initiated signal to determine at least one of billing rate information, available services, and service control procedures associated with the desired call and generate one of the first and second signals. A dial tone generator generates one of the first and second audible tones in response to one of the first and second signals, respectively.

Abstract: A number of fiber optic connectors are held by a connector clip that positions the fiber optic connectors so that the connectors can only be inserted into a corresponding number of receiving connectors in one way. In addition, the connector clip can only be assembled in one way to prevent the connectors from being improperly positioned within the connector clip.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to transmit and receive information bits encoded in duobinary, multilevel pulse-amplitude-modulated (PAM) optical signals are described. The transmitted optical signal has a narrow optical spectrum and a low symbol rate. Information bits are encoded in a M-ary PAM symbol sequence, where M≧2. The PAM symbol sequence is input to a finite-state machine, which yields an encoded sequence that changes sign between two symbol intervals when the encoded sequence takes on a nominally zero value during an odd number of intervening symbol intervals. The encoded sequence is lowpass filtered and modulated onto an optical electric field. The receiver processes a received optical electric field to obtain an electrical signal proportional to the received optical intensity, and performs M-ary symbol-by-symbol decisions to recover the transmitted information bits, without potential error propagation.